Giulia Festa - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Giulia Festa

Research paper thumbnail of Neutron Imaging and Learning Algorithms: New Perspectives in Cultural Heritage Applications

Journal of Imaging

Recently, learning algorithms such as Convolutional Neural Networks have been successfully applie... more Recently, learning algorithms such as Convolutional Neural Networks have been successfully applied in different stages of data processing from the acquisition to the data analysis in the imaging context. The aim of these algorithms is the dimensionality of data reduction and the computational effort, to find benchmarks and extract features, to improve the resolution, and reproducibility performances of the imaging data. Currently, no Neutron Imaging combined with learning algorithms was applied on cultural heritage domain, but future applications could help to solve challenges of this research field. Here, a review of pioneering works to exploit the use of Machine Learning and Deep Learning models applied to X-ray imaging and Neutron Imaging data processing is reported, spanning from biomedicine, microbiology, and materials science to give new perspectives on future cultural heritage applications.

Research paper thumbnail of X-ray computed tomography to study archaeological clay and wood artefacts at Lilybaeum

The European Physical Journal Plus, 2021

Since 2018, a scientific research project, the “Lilybaeum Project”, is being carried out by a col... more Since 2018, a scientific research project, the “Lilybaeum Project”, is being carried out by a collaboration of physicists and archaeologists. The goal is to apply forefront analysis techniques to the investigation of archaeological artefacts, both in situ and in the laboratory. The first case study presented in this paper concerns the original investigation through X-ray computed tomography of a collection of objects from the Regional Archaeological Museum of Lilybaeum, in Marsala, Italy. In addition to a very significant collection of clay jars mostly from children’s graves of the ancient Lilybaeum necropolis, an unprecedented analysis of wooden planks belonging to the only existing wreck of a Punic Ship kept in the Museum is presented

Research paper thumbnail of Chemometric Tools to Point Out Benchmarks and Chromophores in Pigments through Spectroscopic Data Analyses

Molecules, 2021

Spectral preprocessing data and chemometric tools are analytical methods widely applied in severa... more Spectral preprocessing data and chemometric tools are analytical methods widely applied in several scientific contexts i.e., in archaeometric applications. A systematic classification of natural powdered pigments of organic and inorganic nature through Principal Component Analysis with a multi-instruments spectroscopic study is presented here. The methodology allows the access to elementary and molecular unique benchmarks to guide and speed up the identification of an unknown pigment and its recipe. This study is conducted on a set of 48 powdered pigments and tested on a real-case sample from the wall painting in S. Maria Delle Palate di Tusa (Messina, Italy). Four spectroscopic techniques (X-ray Fluorescence, Raman, Attenuated Total Reflectance and Total Reflectance Infrared Spectroscopies) and six different spectrometers are tested to evaluate the impact of different setups. The novelty of the work is to use a systematic approach on this initial dataset using the entire spectrosco...

Research paper thumbnail of Gamma background characterization on VESUVIO: before and after the moderator upgrade

Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 2018

Research paper thumbnail of A neutron study of sealed pottery from the grave-goods of Kha and Merit

Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry, 2017

This work presents the first neutron characterization of artefacts from the grave-goods of Kha an... more This work presents the first neutron characterization of artefacts from the grave-goods of Kha and Merit, a unique cultural treasure of mankind and preserved at the Museo Egizio in Turin.

Research paper thumbnail of Virtual unrolling and deciphering of Herculaneum papyri by X-ray phase-contrast tomography

Scientific Reports, 2016

A collection of more than 1800 carbonized papyri, discovered in the Roman ‘Villa dei Papiri’ at H... more A collection of more than 1800 carbonized papyri, discovered in the Roman ‘Villa dei Papiri’ at Herculaneum is the unique classical library survived from antiquity. These papyri were charred during 79 A.D. Vesuvius eruption, a circumstance which providentially preserved them until now. This magnificent collection contains an impressive amount of treatises by Greek philosophers and, especially, Philodemus of Gadara, an Epicurean thinker of 1st century BC. We read many portions of text hidden inside carbonized Herculaneum papyri using enhanced X-ray phase-contrast tomography non-destructive technique and a new set of numerical algorithms for ‘virtual-unrolling’. Our success lies in revealing the largest portion of Greek text ever detected so far inside unopened scrolls, with unprecedented spatial resolution and contrast, all without damaging these precious historical manuscripts. Parts of text have been decoded and the ‘voice’ of the Epicurean philosopher Philodemus is brought back ag...

Research paper thumbnail of Time-resolved prompt-gamma activation analysis at spallation neutron sources and applications to cultural heritage, security, and radiation protection

Research paper thumbnail of Vibrational spectroscopy to study ancient Roman funerary practices at the “Hypogeum of the Garlands” (Italy)

Scientific Reports, 2022

The “Hypogeum of the Garlands” is a sepulchral site, recently found in Grottaferrata (Lazio, Ital... more The “Hypogeum of the Garlands” is a sepulchral site, recently found in Grottaferrata (Lazio, Italy), dating back to the first-second century AD. Two sarcophagi were discovered inside, hosting the human remains of Aebutia Quarta, a rich Roman woman, and her son Carvilius Gemellus. While the body of Carvilius is exceptionally well-preserved, following its embalming and perfect sealing of the sarcophagus, in the case of Aebutia only the bones were preserved because of the sarcophagus’s seal breaking down, although she was covered with perfectly preserved flower garlands. Embalming of the body was a rare ritual in the Imperial Roman times when corpses were more often cremated. The remains of Aebutia showed possible traces of heating. Burned bones from a third individual were discovered on the chamber’s floor and preliminary anthropological survey showed that this individual was a male of 40–50 years old. Here, a combination of spectroscopic techniques, including non-destructive inelasti...

Research paper thumbnail of Neutrons Matter – VII International Workshop on Electron-Volt Neutron Spectroscopy

Research paper thumbnail of Neutron Diffraction and (n, γ)-Based Techniques for Cultural Heritage

Nanotechnologies and Nanomaterials for Diagnostic, Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage, 2019

Abstract Neutron techniques are successfully employed as investigation tools in the field of cult... more Abstract Neutron techniques are successfully employed as investigation tools in the field of cultural heritage. Thanks to their interaction processes with matter, neutrons are an effective noninvasive and nondestructive means for phase, internal morphology, elemental and isotopic characterization, and offer unique capabilities. Neutrons are a penetrating probe for bulk analysis of heavy elements such as metals, ceramics, and stones where object thickness can even be in the order of many centimeters. This chapter focuses on the application of neutron diffraction neutron activation analysis prompt gamma activation analysis, and neutron resonance capture analysis and their application in cultural heritage studies.

Research paper thumbnail of Neutrons Unveil Secrets of Musical Instruments

Neutron Methods for Archaeology and Cultural Heritage, 2016

Research paper thumbnail of Neutron tomography reveals lead cores in Late Bronze Age palstaves at ISIS Pulsed Neutron and Muon Source

Trabajo presentado a la VII European Conference on Neutron Scattering (ECNS), celebrada en San Pe... more Trabajo presentado a la VII European Conference on Neutron Scattering (ECNS), celebrada en San Petersburgo (Rusia) del 30 de junio al 5 de julio de 2019.

Research paper thumbnail of Old burned bones tell us about past cultures

Research paper thumbnail of Lead cores in Late Bronze Age palstaves revealed using neutron imaging at ISIS Pulsed Neutron and Muon Source

Resumen del trabajo presentado en el 5th International Conference Archaeometallurgy in Europe, ce... more Resumen del trabajo presentado en el 5th International Conference Archaeometallurgy in Europe, celebrado en Miskolc (Hungria), del 19 al 21 de junio de 2019

Research paper thumbnail of From physics to art and back

Nature Reviews Physics, 2021

Research paper thumbnail of Soluble Salts Quantitative Characterization and Thermodynamic Modeling on Roman Bricks to Assess the Origin of Their Formation

Molecules, 2021

The environmental weathering and the formation of efflorescences on the brick walls are studied a... more The environmental weathering and the formation of efflorescences on the brick walls are studied at the “Casa di Diana” Mithraeum at Ostia Antica archaeological site. Previous studies on subsoil, bedrock, hydrological systems and environmental conditions, and new ion chromatography analysis combined with ECOS-RUNSALT and Medusa-Hydra thermodynamic modelling software, had allowed us to identify the subsoil contamination related to soluble salts. The atmospheric acidic gases, CO2 and SO2, are determined as the main salt weathering species. A dry deposition after a subsequent hydration action from the shallow freshwater aquifer that reaches up to 1 m on the walls is identified as the mechanism of salt formation. An evaluation of potential sources such as the nearby Fiumicino airport, CO2-rich gases inputs from fumaroles and CO2 inputs was also debated. The risk level of contamination the surfaces of the materials should be considered mildly/very polluted with a medium/high risk of hygro...

Research paper thumbnail of FLUKA simulations and benchmark measurements of the YAP(Ce) scintillators installed on the VESUVIO spectrometer

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, 2020

Research paper thumbnail of Towards a compact Laser based Neutron source

Journal of Physics: Conference Series, May 1, 2018

Research paper thumbnail of Chemometrics tools for Advanced Spectroscopic Analyses

Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 2020

Any system is described by several variables, often in the form of hidden information, able to de... more Any system is described by several variables, often in the form of hidden information, able to describe and explain functional mechanisms for the majority of the processes which can be evaluated analytically only when we consider entire complex datasets. The relationship between those variables is the key to identify and quantify correlations among the parameters describing the data in a strictly model-free manner. In chemometrics one uses mathematical and statistical methods to improve the understanding of chemical information through the correlation of physical parameters or properties to analytical instrument data. This approach is currently used across chemistry, materials science, biology, with a growing impact is the field of spectroscopy. This paper presents the ability of chemometric technique applied to Advanced Spectroscopic Analyses, examples include spectroscopic data collected from both the High- resolution neutron Spectrometer TOSCA, operating at the ISIS pulsed Neutro...

Research paper thumbnail of Absolute efficiency calibration of a coaxial HPGe detector for quantitative PGAA and T-PGAA

Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 2018

Research paper thumbnail of Neutron Imaging and Learning Algorithms: New Perspectives in Cultural Heritage Applications

Journal of Imaging

Recently, learning algorithms such as Convolutional Neural Networks have been successfully applie... more Recently, learning algorithms such as Convolutional Neural Networks have been successfully applied in different stages of data processing from the acquisition to the data analysis in the imaging context. The aim of these algorithms is the dimensionality of data reduction and the computational effort, to find benchmarks and extract features, to improve the resolution, and reproducibility performances of the imaging data. Currently, no Neutron Imaging combined with learning algorithms was applied on cultural heritage domain, but future applications could help to solve challenges of this research field. Here, a review of pioneering works to exploit the use of Machine Learning and Deep Learning models applied to X-ray imaging and Neutron Imaging data processing is reported, spanning from biomedicine, microbiology, and materials science to give new perspectives on future cultural heritage applications.

Research paper thumbnail of X-ray computed tomography to study archaeological clay and wood artefacts at Lilybaeum

The European Physical Journal Plus, 2021

Since 2018, a scientific research project, the “Lilybaeum Project”, is being carried out by a col... more Since 2018, a scientific research project, the “Lilybaeum Project”, is being carried out by a collaboration of physicists and archaeologists. The goal is to apply forefront analysis techniques to the investigation of archaeological artefacts, both in situ and in the laboratory. The first case study presented in this paper concerns the original investigation through X-ray computed tomography of a collection of objects from the Regional Archaeological Museum of Lilybaeum, in Marsala, Italy. In addition to a very significant collection of clay jars mostly from children’s graves of the ancient Lilybaeum necropolis, an unprecedented analysis of wooden planks belonging to the only existing wreck of a Punic Ship kept in the Museum is presented

Research paper thumbnail of Chemometric Tools to Point Out Benchmarks and Chromophores in Pigments through Spectroscopic Data Analyses

Molecules, 2021

Spectral preprocessing data and chemometric tools are analytical methods widely applied in severa... more Spectral preprocessing data and chemometric tools are analytical methods widely applied in several scientific contexts i.e., in archaeometric applications. A systematic classification of natural powdered pigments of organic and inorganic nature through Principal Component Analysis with a multi-instruments spectroscopic study is presented here. The methodology allows the access to elementary and molecular unique benchmarks to guide and speed up the identification of an unknown pigment and its recipe. This study is conducted on a set of 48 powdered pigments and tested on a real-case sample from the wall painting in S. Maria Delle Palate di Tusa (Messina, Italy). Four spectroscopic techniques (X-ray Fluorescence, Raman, Attenuated Total Reflectance and Total Reflectance Infrared Spectroscopies) and six different spectrometers are tested to evaluate the impact of different setups. The novelty of the work is to use a systematic approach on this initial dataset using the entire spectrosco...

Research paper thumbnail of Gamma background characterization on VESUVIO: before and after the moderator upgrade

Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 2018

Research paper thumbnail of A neutron study of sealed pottery from the grave-goods of Kha and Merit

Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry, 2017

This work presents the first neutron characterization of artefacts from the grave-goods of Kha an... more This work presents the first neutron characterization of artefacts from the grave-goods of Kha and Merit, a unique cultural treasure of mankind and preserved at the Museo Egizio in Turin.

Research paper thumbnail of Virtual unrolling and deciphering of Herculaneum papyri by X-ray phase-contrast tomography

Scientific Reports, 2016

A collection of more than 1800 carbonized papyri, discovered in the Roman ‘Villa dei Papiri’ at H... more A collection of more than 1800 carbonized papyri, discovered in the Roman ‘Villa dei Papiri’ at Herculaneum is the unique classical library survived from antiquity. These papyri were charred during 79 A.D. Vesuvius eruption, a circumstance which providentially preserved them until now. This magnificent collection contains an impressive amount of treatises by Greek philosophers and, especially, Philodemus of Gadara, an Epicurean thinker of 1st century BC. We read many portions of text hidden inside carbonized Herculaneum papyri using enhanced X-ray phase-contrast tomography non-destructive technique and a new set of numerical algorithms for ‘virtual-unrolling’. Our success lies in revealing the largest portion of Greek text ever detected so far inside unopened scrolls, with unprecedented spatial resolution and contrast, all without damaging these precious historical manuscripts. Parts of text have been decoded and the ‘voice’ of the Epicurean philosopher Philodemus is brought back ag...

Research paper thumbnail of Time-resolved prompt-gamma activation analysis at spallation neutron sources and applications to cultural heritage, security, and radiation protection

Research paper thumbnail of Vibrational spectroscopy to study ancient Roman funerary practices at the “Hypogeum of the Garlands” (Italy)

Scientific Reports, 2022

The “Hypogeum of the Garlands” is a sepulchral site, recently found in Grottaferrata (Lazio, Ital... more The “Hypogeum of the Garlands” is a sepulchral site, recently found in Grottaferrata (Lazio, Italy), dating back to the first-second century AD. Two sarcophagi were discovered inside, hosting the human remains of Aebutia Quarta, a rich Roman woman, and her son Carvilius Gemellus. While the body of Carvilius is exceptionally well-preserved, following its embalming and perfect sealing of the sarcophagus, in the case of Aebutia only the bones were preserved because of the sarcophagus’s seal breaking down, although she was covered with perfectly preserved flower garlands. Embalming of the body was a rare ritual in the Imperial Roman times when corpses were more often cremated. The remains of Aebutia showed possible traces of heating. Burned bones from a third individual were discovered on the chamber’s floor and preliminary anthropological survey showed that this individual was a male of 40–50 years old. Here, a combination of spectroscopic techniques, including non-destructive inelasti...

Research paper thumbnail of Neutrons Matter – VII International Workshop on Electron-Volt Neutron Spectroscopy

Research paper thumbnail of Neutron Diffraction and (n, γ)-Based Techniques for Cultural Heritage

Nanotechnologies and Nanomaterials for Diagnostic, Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage, 2019

Abstract Neutron techniques are successfully employed as investigation tools in the field of cult... more Abstract Neutron techniques are successfully employed as investigation tools in the field of cultural heritage. Thanks to their interaction processes with matter, neutrons are an effective noninvasive and nondestructive means for phase, internal morphology, elemental and isotopic characterization, and offer unique capabilities. Neutrons are a penetrating probe for bulk analysis of heavy elements such as metals, ceramics, and stones where object thickness can even be in the order of many centimeters. This chapter focuses on the application of neutron diffraction neutron activation analysis prompt gamma activation analysis, and neutron resonance capture analysis and their application in cultural heritage studies.

Research paper thumbnail of Neutrons Unveil Secrets of Musical Instruments

Neutron Methods for Archaeology and Cultural Heritage, 2016

Research paper thumbnail of Neutron tomography reveals lead cores in Late Bronze Age palstaves at ISIS Pulsed Neutron and Muon Source

Trabajo presentado a la VII European Conference on Neutron Scattering (ECNS), celebrada en San Pe... more Trabajo presentado a la VII European Conference on Neutron Scattering (ECNS), celebrada en San Petersburgo (Rusia) del 30 de junio al 5 de julio de 2019.

Research paper thumbnail of Old burned bones tell us about past cultures

Research paper thumbnail of Lead cores in Late Bronze Age palstaves revealed using neutron imaging at ISIS Pulsed Neutron and Muon Source

Resumen del trabajo presentado en el 5th International Conference Archaeometallurgy in Europe, ce... more Resumen del trabajo presentado en el 5th International Conference Archaeometallurgy in Europe, celebrado en Miskolc (Hungria), del 19 al 21 de junio de 2019

Research paper thumbnail of From physics to art and back

Nature Reviews Physics, 2021

Research paper thumbnail of Soluble Salts Quantitative Characterization and Thermodynamic Modeling on Roman Bricks to Assess the Origin of Their Formation

Molecules, 2021

The environmental weathering and the formation of efflorescences on the brick walls are studied a... more The environmental weathering and the formation of efflorescences on the brick walls are studied at the “Casa di Diana” Mithraeum at Ostia Antica archaeological site. Previous studies on subsoil, bedrock, hydrological systems and environmental conditions, and new ion chromatography analysis combined with ECOS-RUNSALT and Medusa-Hydra thermodynamic modelling software, had allowed us to identify the subsoil contamination related to soluble salts. The atmospheric acidic gases, CO2 and SO2, are determined as the main salt weathering species. A dry deposition after a subsequent hydration action from the shallow freshwater aquifer that reaches up to 1 m on the walls is identified as the mechanism of salt formation. An evaluation of potential sources such as the nearby Fiumicino airport, CO2-rich gases inputs from fumaroles and CO2 inputs was also debated. The risk level of contamination the surfaces of the materials should be considered mildly/very polluted with a medium/high risk of hygro...

Research paper thumbnail of FLUKA simulations and benchmark measurements of the YAP(Ce) scintillators installed on the VESUVIO spectrometer

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment, 2020

Research paper thumbnail of Towards a compact Laser based Neutron source

Journal of Physics: Conference Series, May 1, 2018

Research paper thumbnail of Chemometrics tools for Advanced Spectroscopic Analyses

Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 2020

Any system is described by several variables, often in the form of hidden information, able to de... more Any system is described by several variables, often in the form of hidden information, able to describe and explain functional mechanisms for the majority of the processes which can be evaluated analytically only when we consider entire complex datasets. The relationship between those variables is the key to identify and quantify correlations among the parameters describing the data in a strictly model-free manner. In chemometrics one uses mathematical and statistical methods to improve the understanding of chemical information through the correlation of physical parameters or properties to analytical instrument data. This approach is currently used across chemistry, materials science, biology, with a growing impact is the field of spectroscopy. This paper presents the ability of chemometric technique applied to Advanced Spectroscopic Analyses, examples include spectroscopic data collected from both the High- resolution neutron Spectrometer TOSCA, operating at the ISIS pulsed Neutro...

Research paper thumbnail of Absolute efficiency calibration of a coaxial HPGe detector for quantitative PGAA and T-PGAA

Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 2018